Former British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson has stepped down from the Labour Party, saying he wished to prevent “further embarrassment” to the party after newly released Jeffrey Epstein–linked documents brought renewed scrutiny of his past associations into the public domain.
Mandelson announced his resignation on Sunday, shortly after the United States Department of Justice released a fresh tranche of Epstein-related records. Among the materials was a photograph reportedly showing Mandelson wearing only underwear and a shirt while standing next to a woman dressed in a bathrobe, an image that quickly attracted widespread attention and criticism.
The newly disclosed files also include emails, bank records, and financial statements that appear to suggest Epstein may have transferred money connected to Mandelson. According to the documents, there are indications of three separate payments of $25,000 each from Epstein’s accounts, with some records referring to a combined amount of $75,000. These financial links, however, remain disputed.
Mandelson, who had been removed from his post as UK ambassador to the United States last year following revelations about his connections to Epstein, has now come under renewed pressure after his name surfaced again in the latest release of records.
Confirming his decision to resign from the Labour Party, Mandelson said he had written to the party’s general secretary to formally end his membership. In a letter quoted by The Guardian, he said that he regretted being linked once more to the controversy surrounding Epstein and expressed sorrow over the situation. He stated that allegations claiming Epstein made financial payments to him around 20 years ago were, in his view, false, and said he had no record or recollection of receiving such funds. He added that these claims required investigation on his part.
Mandelson explained that while he sought to examine the allegations, he did not want his situation to cause additional harm or embarrassment to the Labour Party, which is why he chose to resign. In the same letter, he reiterated an apology to the women and girls affected by Epstein’s crimes, acknowledging that their voices should have been heard much earlier.
Responding directly to questions about the alleged bank transfers, Mandelson said he had no memory or documentation of receiving the sums mentioned and that he could not confirm the authenticity of the records. The released documents also appear to show Mandelson exchanging emails with Epstein in 2009, including discussions related to government policy matters such as banker bonuses, suggesting that the two remained in contact during that period.
The developments have also increased pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with questions being raised about Mandelson’s previous role in public life. Commenting briefly, Starmer said that Mandelson had already been removed as ambassador following information that emerged last September and added that he had nothing further to say on the matter.
Media reports, including from The Guardian, have cautioned that some of the released statements and documents contain apparent inaccuracies and should not automatically be accepted at face value. The US Justice Department has likewise warned that portions of the material may be incorrect or misleading, underscoring that the contents of the files remain subject to dispute and further scrutiny.
